Echo Mountain (ski area): Difference between revisions
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'''Echo Mountain''' is a [[ski]] and [[snowboard]] area located in [[Clear Creek County, Colorado|Clear Creek County]], west of [[Evergreen, Colorado|Evergreen]], [[Colorado]]. |
'''Echo Mountain''' is a [[ski]] and [[snowboard]] area located in [[Clear Creek County, Colorado|Clear Creek County]], west of [[Evergreen, Colorado|Evergreen]], [[Colorado]]. In the summer of 2012, it was announced that Echo Mountain Park had been bought and would be converted to a private ski-race training facility. <ref>http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_21421750</ref> |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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Revision as of 20:16, 26 October 2012
| Echo Mountain | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Clear Creek County, Colorado, USA |
| Nearest major city | Evergreen, Colorado |
| Vertical | 600 ft (180 m). |
| Top elevation | 10,650 ft (3,250 m). |
| Base elevation | 10,050 ft (3,060 m). |
| Skiable area | 75+ acres |
| Trails | 13 total 10% beginner 70% intermediate 20% expert/advanced |
| Longest run | Pops (0.4 Mi.) |
| Lift system | 3 (1 triple chairs, 1 surface lift, 1 handle tow) |
| Lift capacity | 2,000 people/hour |
| Terrain parks | Freestyle on multiple runs |
| Snowfall | 275 in/year |
| Snowmaking | 50 acres (200,000 m2) |
| Night skiing | 100% lit Wednesday - Saturday |
| Website | Echo Mountain Park |
Echo Mountain is a ski and snowboard area located in Clear Creek County, west of Evergreen, Colorado. In the summer of 2012, it was announced that Echo Mountain Park had been bought and would be converted to a private ski-race training facility. [1]
Description
Echo Mountain is located at the former site of the Squaw Pass Ski Area. It is owned by Jerry Petitt and his family. Echo opened late in the 2006 season. The ski area offers two learning areas, multiple terrain parks and gladed runs. It is lit to offer night skiing. The park is 75 acres (300,000 m2) and is located within the Arapaho National Forest and sits on the North face of Chief Mountain (elv. 11,709 ft.).
Echo was developed to cater to a different crowd, the young skiers and snowboarders, who according to owner Jerry Petitt, “…can’t afford to pay $75 for a lift ticket or $14 for a buffalo burger…”[2]. In catering to the younger crowd many features of the mountain are directed at the market. Music is played on the runs through several speakers. The lodge buildings are of modern industrial design featuring many windows overlooking the slopes, corrugated metal walls, and exposed ceilings. The lodge also features wireless internet, a cafe and a bar.
The area was created out of lodgepole pines, bristlecone pines, and Douglas firs. The base of the mountain is located at 10,050 feet (3,060 m) and the summit is at about 10,650 feet (3,250 m). When the ski area was built in 2005, the builders built a reservoir at the base to capture some of the manmade snow runoff.
Expansion
When Echo opened in 2006 it boasted about 40 features; by the 2007 season the number had increased to 80. It has also expanded from an initial 9 trails to the current 13. The expanded trails include runs of glades and two progressive learning centers. The slopes are also now accessed by 3 lift systems: 1 fixed triple chairlift, 1 handle tow and a Magic Carpet surface lift.
Lifts
Echo’s 3 lifts are all used lifts purchased from other resorts. The Yan 1000 Triple was purchased from Vail Resorts’ Heavenly Resort and installed in 2005. The triple, named Milk Run Special, is situated to serve the entire park. The second lift is a used handle tow, named Frog Legs, which was purchased from the Snowmass ski area. Most recently, Echo installed a Magic Carpet surface lift in which they purchased from Steamboat Ski Resort. Combined the lifts are capable of servicing 2000 people per hour.